In early 1942 the Third Reich opened a maximum security Prisoner Of War camp in Lower Silesia for captured Allied airmen. Called Stalag Luft III, the camp soon came to contain some of the most inventive escapers ever known.

The escapers were led by Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, code-named 'Big X'. In March 1944, Bushell masterminded an attempt to smuggle hundreds of POWs down a tunnel build right under the noses of their guards. In fact, only 79 Allied airmen clambered into the tunnel and only three made successful escapes.

This remarkable escape would be immortalised in the famous Hollywood film THE GREAT ESCAPE, in which the bravery of the men was rightly celebrated.

Behind the scenes photographs from the film are included in this definitive pictorial work on the most famous POW camp of World War II.

The images are, as always in this series, of the highest quality. Here they depict all of the aspects of POW life in German camps and of the inmates of Stalag Luft III in particular. – Highly Recommended

I really enjoyed this book and will be valuable as a reference when reading some of the first-hand accounts which have been published recently. Another excellent volume from a wonderful author and a welcome addition to the book shelf!

'A born raconteur, his escapes, his operations as a Spitfire pilot, his experiences as a prisoner-of-war, and his incredible escape crossing the Pyrenees – all are described in a breathtaking manner which made me read his book through in one sitting.' Prof Dr L de Jong, Founder/Director of the Dutch Institute for War Documentation 'Such a modest man, such a dramatic story – you’ll be pulled into this absorbing account.' Jonathan Vance, The True Story of the Great Escape "Quickly, I climbed up to the surface and immediately found the rope . . . I felt no signal, so it was not safe yet. Then…